The Expressionists

It's tea for two and two for tea on the last Expressionists episode for season 2. Yes, we're talking idioms relating to the world's most consumed beverage, so put the kettle on, pour yourself a comforting cuppa and listen in. We promise you it's relevant to the price of tea in China.

We all try to get along most of the time, but everyone needs some good insults up their sleeve, and there's nothing that adds insult to injury like an idiom. Join us for an ugly, mud-slinging instalment of the Expressionists.

Humans have been walking upright for at least six million years, and that's more than enough time to come up with an idiom or two about Shank's pony. So take a hike with the Expressionists as they ramble along with walking idioms in this far from pedestrian episode.

We're marking this January 26 by exploring and celebrating indigenous Australian languages and cultures. We speak to two knowledgable and passionate advocates for the revitalisation of these languages: Professor Jakelin Troy, author of The Sydney Language, and Daniel Browning, producer of ABC Radio National's Word Up podcast.

What better way to kick off a World Cup year than with an episode on idioms relating to the beautiful game? Join us to discover the surprising connections between soccer, literary style, the history of radio, and politics, in this special collaboration with By Association podcast.

In our first episode for 2018, we joined forces with James Parkinson of the excellent By Association podcast, to talk about idioms relating to the footiest of the footballs: soccer. In this sneak peek James gets the ball rolling by enlightening us on the origins and usage of the term 'soccer' itself. Listen now, then tune in to the full episode - out this Friday.

It's the end of 2017 already and, even though we're as shocked as the next guy, we'll take a cup o' kindness yet for good auld lang syne. Listen to this episode full of New Year's idioms and bring life to your NYE party with an abundance of excellent facts.

'Tis the season... to burn the midnight oil while putting up decorations, and to go cold turkey on moderation! And what better way to get into the swing of things than by learning about a couple of festive(-ish) idioms? Plus, we chat with our buddy Thom Calma about the spirit of giving.

On the rags, shark week, red wedding, surfing the crimson tide and who the hell is Aunt Flo? Why can't we just say menstruating!? In this episode we explore the weird world of period idioms.

It's not just teens who suffer from the lack of a toilet. We couldn't include the full interview with Mark Balla in Episode 12 but listen to this bonus story he told us about one primary school he visited without a toilet and why that meant a disruption to kids' schooling once a month, every month.

You don't have to get up at sparrow's fart to make sure you don't piss your day away. Just celebrate World Toilet Day with us by listening to this loo-themed episode, featuring special guest, Mark Balla from We Can't Wait, along with all the shits and giggles you could desire. Visit expressionists.audio for show notes.

You don't have to get up at sparrow's fart to make sure you don't piss your day away. Just celebrate World Toilet Day with us by listening to this loo-themed episode, featuring special guest, Mark Balla from We Can't Wait, along with all the shits and giggles you could desire. Visit expressionists.audio for show notes.

The Melbourne Cup is famously "the race that stops the nation" so while everyone is paused we're here to talk about why there are so many horse-related idioms in the English language, and tell the stories of a few. We really think you should listen, but we're well aware that you can lead a horse to water....

As ballots are arriving in mailboxes around the country, and Australians are going postal for marriage equality, we take a moment to talk about why everyone should have the right to tie the knot.

We go to see a man about a dog... and a cat. Actually, there's no man, just four pet idioms. It gets a bit hairy. Why would you skin a cat and what does dog fur have to do with drinking anyway!? Listen in and all will be revealed.

Do you have a bee in your bonnet? Perhaps you need to put your thinking cap on to get to the heart of the matter. This episode we take our hats off to idioms that feature headwear.

Cocks feature in many English expressions and this week we consider three of them - cock and bull story, cock of the walk and to go off half cocked. One relates to to the remarkable history of domestic fowl, one to drunk coach drivers and one has nothing to do with birds at all. More here: http://expressionists.audio/2017/08/11/episode-7-all-about-the-cock/

You might know part of the story behind 'the sky is falling', but what about 'drawing a line in the sand'? This episode explores how idioms help us tap into our shared histories, both ancient and modern.

Baked goods have a special place in English expressions. In this episode, we find out if you can ever have your cake and eat it too, and ponder why we liken baby-making to bun-baking. Show notes here: http://expressionists.audio/2017/07/14/episode-5-put-this-in-your-cake-hole/

Do you know whether the sun is over the yard arm yet, or what it means to be three sheets to the wind? Join us as we cruise the high seas of nautical drinking idioms. Show notes here: http://expressionists.audio/2017/06/27/episode-4/